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The health of Australia's workforce

Research commissioned by Medibank Private, in conjunction with vielife, found a measurable link between a person’s health and lifestyle and how productive they are at work.

The research, conducted in 2005, found that employees with poor overall health status are far more likely to be absent from work, and are nine times more likely to have sick days, compared to healthy employees.

Lifestyle ‘risk’ factors such as smoking, drinking, lack of physical activity and excess weight contribute to this time away from work.

Employee morale and stress in the workforce contributed significantly to absenteeism and sick leave.

The study also found that a worker’s health status impacts upon their productivity at work. The healthiest Australian employees are almost three times more productive than their unhealthy colleagues.